f you are new to the Free2Play experience, then prepare to be amazed. I spent some time with the wonderful folks at GamersFirst, part of the K2 network which brings popular MMO-style games from all over the world to the Western audiences.
With several titles in the pipeline, I was able to get my hands on two very interesting games. The first is called Taikodom, a Brazillian MMO whose name is a portmanteau of the Chinese term for "outer space" and "kingdom." The game is currently being developed in Brazil under the guidance of Tarqüínio Teles, CEO of Hoplon Infotainment.
Spaceborne characters
begin anew in Taikodom.The story of Taikodom takes place in the 23rd century after a strange energy threatens Earth and those who escape must make new lives for themselves as part of the Consortium. Players are able to customize characters appearance and choose from four different career paths: merchant pilot, scout explorer, juggernaut bomber or hotshot pilot.
There are over 200 hours of optional missions to help anyone learn the game or just make some extra money. Supply and demand reflect real-time currency fluctuations in the game as it is a persistent, growing environment.
Combat feels comparable to the Star Wars Galaxies space missions, which is great in my opinion. You can use the mouse with the W-A-S-D keys or a joystick. It plays very much like you would want a space flight simulator to run, and while there are many things going on, I never felt overwhelmed.
Taikodom is a Free2Play game that will include features that are optional for purchase and will be reaching the US and Europe later this year.
Once I was completely hooked on Taikodom, I was shown another great game called Parabellum. Part MMO and part shooter, this game has found a good balance of the two. Characters are fully customizable, there is a limitless supply of customizable weapons to choose from, and there are plenty of extras that may be purchased as well.
Parabellum:
part MMO and part shooter.The game is set in New York in the year 2018, and military has been globally privatized. Players must choose to be one of the law-biding counter-terrorists or the rebellious Syndicate. Both sides, though fighting against one another for world domination, are contracted by a global corporation of mercenaries.
Built with the Unreal Engine 3, the game looks and plays well. Acony, the game's developer, calls Parabellum's story the "first interactive non-linear multiplayer campaign." Sounds good, but what does that mean, exactly? The gist is that all battles take place in various locations of New York, and as you progress you can choose to move your team to new areas where various opportunities for better cover or weapons will be presented. These choices will ultimately determine how easily your team will succeed.
Parabellum is currently in closed beta, but will be released with a full campaign very soon. Since the current story lies within New York, it will be up to the community to decide the next location, and eventually the game will include as many locations worldwide as desired.
Go, Go Go Racer!I was also shown two racing games, both Free2Play online. The first was Go Go Racer, a cartoon-style racing game with customizable cars and characters. Items can be used on the track in a similar way to Mario Kart.
New parts and modification kits can be purchased to improve stats or give them special attributes. Items can be traded as well, and there are five game types. Join a Car Club and wear your club logo proudly as you zip by other racers. Go Go Racer is currently in open beta.
For the serious petrol-heads, Victory: The Age of Racing is an excellent blend of futuristic automotive design with 1960s Formula One racing. As an MMORPG, you gain experience by racing which will allow you to level up your car's stats the way you choose. As a racing simulation game, the Net Kar Pro full-featured physics engine provides a realistic experience behind the wheel. In an online market, test and purchase items to help improve your car and reach the top of the ranks. Their website ranking system is easily accessed from your browser, making it that much easier to gloat to your friends about your latest victory.
